In the 19^th century, Calcutta was plagued with frequent thefts and pilferages. Desperate measures were adopted to resist them but in vain. The following chart reveals the then alarming situation :

Most of the pilferages or thefts were committed by the servants or domestic helps. It was impossible for the police to desist it. So they warned the people to be careful while appointing a domestic help.

The number of thefts catapulted during the monsoon. Incessant rainfall used to soften the claywalls of the hovels. To add to the misery of the people, the roads were absolutely dark which made it convenient for the thieves to commit the mischieves. In 1819, the Magistrates realized that the consumers of smuggled goods had increased tremendously. But the business or shops of these suspects could not be shut down by the Magistrates. Hard core criminals and anti-socials from all corners of the country as well as from far off China, had assembled in Calcutta. The gambling joints, warehouses etc. were increasing alarmingly. The servant community was undergoing a serious decline in moral or ethical principles. The number of Chowkidars to tackle this chaotic situation was inadequate. These were, in the opinion of the magistrates, the major causes for the catapulting thefts and pilferages. Opinions differed as to whether the police should be blamed for these crimes. But the Calcutta Police had been severely  criticized for failing to salvage the stolen goods or money. However, at the terminal phase of the century, the overall situation had improved a bit. 50-60% of the stolen goods could be salvaged by the cops. In 1854 and 1855, 2428 and 2973 thefts took place respectively. The Railways was introduced at this juncture which made it extremely convenient for the thieves to disappear quickly from the clutches of the police. Even at the terminal phase of the century, the rate of thefts and pilferages were alarmingly high.